Populism, Austerity and Governance for Sustainable Development in Troubled Times: Introduction to Special Issue

Abstract

The sustainable development imaginary was built on a belief in co-operation, collaboration and consensus building and requires governance approaches that rely upon the values of a liberal, pluralistic, tolerant, and democratic society. Much scholarship assumed that the European Post-War, welfare, democratic order, with its emerging educated classes, would steadily progress towards an ever more refined and articulated version of these governance values. However, that governance imaginary has become increasingly deradicalised, focused instead on economic efficiency and technocracy. Our current ‘troubled times’ have now seen the rise of right populism and the imposition of austerity policies in Europe. Against this background, six key characteristics of sustainable development are examined through a governance lens—limits to growth, equity, inclusion, reflexivity, participation, and international solidarity—showing how right populism and austerity have further reshaped ideas about how to govern for sustainable development. Right populism and austerity have constrained both the narratives and tools available, while shrinking the political space for co-operation, reflection, and learning, poorly reflecting the governance values thought necessary to achieve an equitable and environmentally sustainable future. This has been further seen in the contested governance of the COVID-19 pandemic and the strategies designed to ensure post-Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic economic recovery.

Unraveling the European Agricultural Policy Sustainable Development Trajectory

“…However, it is worth noting that while rational choice institutionalism furnishes a useful framework for dissecting the EU integration process, it has also been criticized for oversimplifying the intricate interplays between actors and institutions [133]. Moreover, recent developments, such as the Brexit referendum [134] and the rise of populist movements in Europe [135], including the surge of right-wing ethnonationalism and the emergence of authoritarianist governments -largely attributed to the austerity-driven economic strategies of the preceding decade across various European nations [136], as well as the ongoing migration predicament [137]-have cast a spotlight on the underlying assumptions of rational choice institutionalism. These events highlight the importance of examining the roles of emotions, identity, and culture in the realm of EU politics [138].…”

Limits to the Anthropocene: geopolitical conflict or cooperative governance?

“…This will require large-scale redistribution of wealth and consumption-likely provoking those who try to undermine sustainability. To moderate conflict, a governance lens examines six key characteristics of sustainable development: limits to growth, equity, inclusion, reflexivity, participation, and international solidarity (Baker and Quinn, 2022). In addition to an efficient and equitable use of resources, it is also about adapting human needs to and living together peacefully in balance with nature.…”